Umpire made Orioles use a challenge despite the batter not touching his helmet

We're in the first season of an automated strike zone (ABS) challenge system in Major League Baseball, and there already seems to be a learning curve with some umpires.

On Wednesday, we might've had our first challenge that wasn't asked for.

During the Orioles' matchup with the Diamondbacks, third baseman Coby Mayo took a 3-0 pitch that he thought was ball 4 — it was called a strike. Mayo briefly started to make his way to first before stopping. He then reached towards his helmet but never actually made contact.

Home plate umpire John Tumpane, though, saw that has a challenge signal and forced the Orioles to use a challenge they never called for.

The call was confirmed as a strike, and the Orioles lost a challenge. Shortly after the review, we could see Mayo try to explain to Tumpane that he never wanted to challenge the pitch. Tumpane seemed to see the reach for the helmet as the signal.

But MLB guidelines say the batter must tap the helmet and should also vocalize the challenge call to not leave any doubt. Via MLB:

The player taps his cap or helmet to alert the umpire to his desire to challenge the call. Players are also encouraged to verbalize their challenge, to leave nothing to doubt, but the cap/helmet tap represents the official challenge.

That was such an odd misunderstanding to witness in real time. But Mayo would hit a double on the next pitch. It ended up working out nicely for him.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: Umpire made Orioles use a challenge despite the batter not touching his helmet